Strong Winds Threaten to Intensify L.A. Fires

Investigators have zeroed in on a ridge high above Los Angeles, where the Palisades fire is believed to have ignited, in their effort to figure out what caused the blaze. A recent visit by New York Times reporters to the site suggested a range of possibilities. This is what they found.

For people in the area: Here are some safety steps you can take.

Trump supporters go all in to support Hegseth

More than a dozen of Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees will sit for Senate confirmation hearings this week. The questioning the nominees face, especially from Republicans, will provide an early indication of Trump’s relationship with the Senate, less than a week before he begins his second term.

The most high-profile of the hearings will take place tomorrow and focus on Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for secretary of defense, who has been grappling with a variety of damaging accusations. Hegseth is being backed by a coalition of outside groups who have pressured Republican senators to confirm him or face a daunting political fallout.

Traffic eased after New York began congestion pricing

It has been just over a week since New York City began charging drivers $9 to enter Manhattan’s busiest streets. An early look at the data suggests that the program — which aims to ease gridlock and encourage mass transit — is beginning to accomplish its goals.

Last week, hundreds of thousands fewer vehicles entered Manhattan’s core than in a typical week, and that shortened some commutes. Buses ran faster, and traffic improved in most bridges and tunnels and in some streets in the congestion zone.

For more: New Yorkers have not hesitated to share their feelings about the tolling program. Some are particularly worried about the city’s restaurants.

Biden warned Russia over airplane cargo explosions

The U.S. secretly obtained intelligence last summer suggesting that Russia was preparing to send explosive packages on planes bound for America. U.S. officials believed that the Russians were also behind fires at European airports around the same time.

In response, President Biden dispatched his top national security aides to warn Vladimir Putin that the U.S. would hold Russia responsible if its sabotage campaign led to mass casualties. Since then, the rash of fires in Europe has ceased.

The upcoming books we’re most excited about

The next few months promise a bounty of highly anticipated books. Two New York Times Book Review editors sat down together to discuss the releases they are most looking forward to.

Their discussion, which you can listen to, highlighted “We Do Not Part,” a new novel by the reigning Nobel laureate, Han Kang; “Onyx Storm,” the third installment of an incredibly popular fantasy series; “Source Code,” the first volume of Bill Gates’s memoirs; and many other titles.

The fashion world is in for a year of seismic change

New designers at no fewer than eight major brands, including Chanel, Calvin Klein, Bottega Veneta and Givenchy, will make their runway debuts in 2025. They’re coming in at a time of global uncertainty and a slowdown in luxury spending.

Our fashion critic Vanessa Friedman is hoping they see all the turmoil as an opportunity for a revolution. “Surprise us,” she writes. “Enchant us. Shock us. I dare you.”

A lavish entry into adulthood, now also for boys

For centuries, 15-year-old Latin American girls have celebrated quinceañeras to mark their transition to womanhood. The parties tend to be big and elaborate, and can cost as much as weddings. Recently, boys have started to adopt the tradition and host their own opulent parties, known as quinceañeros.

Some see these events as a way to push back against the socially conservative gender roles many Latinos grow up with. Others just want everyone to have a chance to celebrate.

Have a cheerful evening.

Thanks for reading. I’ll be back tomorrow. — Matthew

Sean Kawasaki-Culligan was our photo editor today.

We welcome your feedback. Write to us at evening@nytimes.com.